Abstract
The measurement of blood pressure in the premature neonate presents many difficulties. A new device has been developed which allows the noninvasive determination of mean arterial pressure (MAP). The device uses an occluding cuff which may be placed on any of the extremities and chooses as MAP the lowest cuff pressure at which the oscillations in cuff pressure are maximum.
The device was tested in a series of 36 studies involving eleven infants whose weights ranged from 3.3 Kg to 800 Gm. The studies were conducted by comparing the pressure measured using the indirect device, with that pressure measured from an umbilical artery catheter. Where possible, determinations were made on the forearm, bicep, calf, and thigh. Where this was not possible, only the thigh or the bicep was used. The mean error between the two methods was .86 mmHg and the average standard deviation waa 2.9 mmHg.
Although the measurement of blood pressure in small infants remains more difficult than similar measurements in adults, it was found that with appropriate precautions, accurate results could be achieved over a wide range of pressures and physiological states.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ramsey, M., Curran, J. & Barness, L. DEVICE FOR INDIRECT MEASUREMENT OF MEAN ARTERIAL PRESSURE. Pediatr Res 11, 541 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01025
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01025